Savage Wonder Reel

ABSTRACT

Savage Wonder Reel, connected to any 2″ square trailer receiver hitch and wound with rope, can be used to pull wire through conduit from any angle and from any brake drag setting. This reel can also be used to spool-off small wire, such as TV and telephone cable.

The field of endeavor is the invention of a mechanical reel useful to utility companies, such as electric, gas, telephone, and cable TV or any company that works with lengths of wire or rope. Reels used at the present time are made of plastic and break easily. The Savage Wonder Reel is made of durable steel and is made to swivel 360°, thus making it accessible from any direction. It has a brake that can be set on drag to stop backlash or can be used for lock-up. The reel wound with rope can be used to drag wire through conduit or wound with wire or cable can be used to unspool same by setting the reel on drag and moving the vehicle. The only thing required for hook-up is a short piece of 2″ square receiver tube fastened to the vehicle. There is no power needed as it is easily turned by a hand crank. It can be changed from left and right by dropping a pin in different holes in the swivel plate.

The following material and technique is used to construct the reel:

(please reference drawings)

(B1)One piece of ¼″ thick steel plate, 14″×8″ with a 1″ hole in center, is used for the bottom base of the reel frame.

(B2 & B3)Two pieces of ¼″ thick steel plate, 11″×8″ with a 1¼″ hole 2″ down and centered on the 8″ side, are welded to each side of base frame.

(C1)A 21″ long piece of 2″ square steel tubing serves as a trailer hitch shaft. One end of tubing goes into a 2″ trailer receiver on vehicle.

(C2 & B4)Two pieces of ¼″ thick steel plate, 8″ in diameter, with a ⅝″ hole in the center for a ⅝″ swivel bolt serves as a reel swivel. One piece is welded to the end of the trailer hitch shaft. The other piece is welded to the center of the base frame.

(A1 & A2)Two pieces of ⅛″ thick steel plate, 16″ in diameter with a 1″ hole in the center, serves as reel sides.

(A3)One piece of 3″ lightweight steel pipe, 12″ long, is welded to one side of each 16″ circle (as in spool fashion).

(A4)One piece of 1″ steel pipe, 16″ long, serves as the reel center shaft. It is welded to both sides of the spool and protrudes 2″ on each side.

(B5)Two pieces of 1¼″ steel pipe, 1″ long, is welded in the 1¼″ hole located in each side of the reel frame. These are bushings for the reel 1″ center shaft.

(A4 & D3)3″ washers with 1″ hole—one washer is welded on one end of the reel center shaft for brake rotor. Other 3″ washers are used for spacers as needed.

(D2)Crank handle is added to the end of the center shaft opposite the brake side.

(D1)Welded to one side of the frame is a brake assembly which is designed using these parts: 6″ piece of ⅜″ all-thread rod with 3″ steel rod welded across one end for “T” handle. It is threaded through brake frame and has brake pad attached to other side of frame which can be adjusted against rotor on the end of the reel shaft. 

1. The Savage Wonder Reel is different from other mechanical reels in use by utility companies, etc. because of its 360° swivel mechanism, its adjustable drag, lock-up brake, and its ability to be connected to any 2″ square trailer receiver hitch. 